Volunteering Matters

At Volunteering Matters we use volunteering’s unique power to bring people together and build stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.

We bring people together to resolve some of society’s most complex issues. From social isolation and loneliness; improving health and wellbeing; building skills, confidence, and opportunity; to ensuring young people can become change makers in their community, the impact that we make is great. And we won’t stop until everyone in the UK has the opportunity to thrive.

People-led and impact driven, we are a national charity that is deeply embedded in local areas across the UK. We operate in five regions: London and the South East; Wales and the West of England; East of England; the Midlands and North West England; and Scotland and North East England. We also have an Employee Volunteering Team with over 25 years’ experience, acting as a broker to provide tailor-made solutions to employers. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all.

This is an exciting time to be joining the team. We’re changing the way we work to meet new ambitions and make sure our impact continues to grow alongside out business.

Role Purpose

ProjectScotland, part of the national charity Volunteering Matters, supports people to get on in life through the power of volunteering. We are looking to recruit a talented, dynamic, and professional Mentor Project Worker, to join our team in West Lothian. The right candidate would be someone who can work flexibly, and can demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment, to our organisational values.

Young people we support include those facing multiple barriers or disadvantage. Our support helps them to achieve positive outcomes for their future. As our Mentor Project Worker, you will work closely with our partner organisations locally to deliver a high quality, impactful mentoring service across West Lothian.

The Urban Fox Programme works with young people and families to deliver a range of youth engagement, peer mentoring, volunteering and certificated learning as well as supporting community events within 6 communities covering the North East and South Sectors of Glasgow.

In addition to this, The Urban Fox Programme is the lead partner responsible for employing a Capacity Building and Engagement Offer and holding associated funds. This is on behalf of the Voluntary Sector North East Glasgow (VSNEG) network.

We currently have this exciting opportunity

Programme Co-ordinator

• To provide a varied youth-led programme of activities and learning & development opportunities for young people.

• Manage and support staff and volunteer within the Programme.

• Oversee and develop the Programme’s Youth Volunteering Programme

We are looking for a talented individual to lead and manage our successful Breastfeeding Support Service in Lothian. The project is well established, and has been commissioned for 10 years, this contract is currently funded until March 2024.

About the role:

• To help NCT broaden its reach and relevance to parents of all backgrounds and in building up its reputation as a credible provider of services.

• Responsible for the effective and efficient operational delivery of a combined breastfeeding service across Lothian and is funded by the Scottish Government and NHS Lothian.

• Leading on promoting and publicising the service locally using a variety of channels including social media.

The role will be home-based but with regular travel to the implementation sites within the community and hospital location within Lothian and attending relevant meetings with the Commissioner and key stakeholders.

About you:

We are seeking applicants who have experience of managing projects and experience of both staff and volunteer management and a keen interest in infant feeding / breastfeeding support. You should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to network and influence Health Care Professionals. You will also have the ability to manage competing demands on time, have excellent organisational skills and be able to prioritise effectively.

Please see the Job Description for more information nct.org.uk/jobs/Lothian-Breastfeeding-Services-Manager.pdf

We are taking positive action to increase diversity throughout our organisation, at all levels, and to nurture a culture of inclusion for all our people and the parents and families that we support. More details about our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action can be found here.

We are committed to zero discrimination both internally and externally regardless of visible or invisible difference such as sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, religion or belief, gender identity, economic class, marital/civil partnership, family status including single parents, socio-economic background and pregnancy and maternity. We provide reasonable adjustments and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

We welcome and actively encourage applications from all candidates including those from under-represented groups within NCT such as individuals from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQI+ people and people with a disability.

The welfare and safety of individuals is at the heart of everything that we do. NCT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

We currently have several Trainee Habilitation Specialist vacancies advertised. Please only submit one application; this should be to your preferred location. If invited to interview, you will be given the opportunity to express interest in other locations.

As this role requires an Enhanced Disclosure check job offers will be subject to the receipt of a satisfactory check.

As a Trainee Habilitation Specialist, you will contribute, as a full-time member of staff, to the services delivered by the Scotland team whilst successfully completing all elements of the 2-year Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People).

The content of the training will be covered through a mix of on the job, and off the job training.

On the job training will be provided by Guide Dogs as part of the habilitation team in the role of Trainee Habilitation Specialist. Off the job training will be covered by the University course, delivered by University College London (UCL), key details of which are below.

University College London Course key dates:

Application deadline date (if successful, applications must be made to UCL by this date): 30th June 2023

Course dates: UCL Starting in September 2023, 2-year course.

Successful applicants will be required to apply to, and be accepted by, University College London for Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) course.

The applications need to be submitted after a job offer has been made and accepted and before 30th June to increase the chance of gaining a place on the course. Places on the University course are limited for the September 2023 start date and offers will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Positions are not held back for Guide Dogs employees.

More information on the course can be found here:

ucl.ac.uk/ioe/courses/graduate-taught/habilitation-disabilities-sight-children-young-people-graddip-specialist

Note: Guide Dogs will pay the tuition fees as part of the position of Trainee Habilitation Specialist.